Desert landscaping in the southwest carries with it unique gardening possibilities, not open to temperate regions. Focus on native plants and plants that thrive in the conditions of the southwest. Create an outdoor living space that mirrors the beauty and colors of the desert. Keep in mind conservation as you design and plant. With planning, you can achieve a desert landscaping that becomes the envy of your neighbors.

Desert Landscaping IdeasA desert garden or yard can have a theme beyond the regional necessities. Choose a garden theme that highlights color and achieve the look through plants, fences, trellises, arbors, rocks, sand, and accents. A southwest theme of hot chili brings to mind reds, oranges, and peppers. Turn an ordinary desert landscape into a showplace by intermingling various gardening elements.

Create a mood within the confines of your garden. How do you want to feel when you are daydreaming in your desert landscape? How do you want visitors to feel? Imbue the landscape with happiness by using bright, cheerful colors. Use earth tones from stone and rocks to generate a reflective mood in the backyard. If you have an amazing view of plateaus or mesas, allow the view to become a backdrop for your garden. Avoid blocking the view by keeping that side of the garden open.

You may wish to incorporate xeriscaping into your desert home landscaping plans.

Creating xeriscaping means choosing plants that can withstand the rigors of drought and being mindful of the amount of water used for irrigating. A simple form of xeriscape groups plants with similar water requirements together, minimizing the need to water.

Xeriscaping allows you to replace a green grass lawn with unique landscaping that eliminates the need for water guzzling grass. Wood decks, bricked patios, and the use of decorative stones can replace a lawn. Sometimes finding a type of grass that requires less water may be the answer. In less drought-prone areas, ground covers, shrubs, mulches, and a smaller area of green grass significantly reduce the amount of water needed.

The cactus garden is nothing new to southwest gardens; jazz it up by adding drought-resistant groundcovers and shrubs.

Gather ideas from Zen gardens and incorporate a southwest flavor with cacti, appropriate desert plantings and colorful rocks. Install a bamboo fence, stepping-stones and seating for meditation. Garden elements with a southwest feel creates a regional environment that does not require more water than necessary.

Create depth, texture and various forms by grouping different kinds of plants. Place taller plants in the center or towards the back with shorter ones in the middle ground. Save the groundcovers and low-growing compact plants for the foreground and for bordering edges.

Desert Landscaping PlantsDesert landscaping is all about using the plants that would survive higher summer temperatures with less water.

Plants that grow well in temperate regions will not grow as well in hot-arid ones. Choose plants that require little water, can tolerate the hot sun, and do not mind nutrient-deprived soil. The list below offers ideas for types of plants that work well in desert landscaping.

Succulents to include in a desert landscaping plan are the old-time favorite, hens and chickens and autumn joy’ sedum called stonecrop.

Oleander is an evergreen shrub that blossoms in white, pink, salmon, or red. The oleander meets the requirements for desert backyard landscaping.

Purple sage offers color as a hardy perennial. It may need more watering, so plant it with other plants that have the same requirements.

There are a variety of uses for the perennial Bougainvillea plant. The woody evergreen shrub climbs trellis and fences, can be used as a groundcover or trimmed into bushes. Frost may present a problem, but covering it with a sheet protects it from plunging thermometers.

Pale or bright yellow and pink varieties of lantana add color in the form of groundcover or hanging baskets. As with the bougainvillea plant, cover the lantana plant when frost threatens.

Calliandra or fairy duster thrives in hot weather and full sun. As a three-foot tall evergreen shrub, red balls of fluff appear to brighten the landscape.

Although slow growing, fairy duster does not need a particular type of soil and requires very little maintenance.

Red birds of paradise, sometimes called Mexican birds of paradise produce bright yellow flowers with orange and red centers. The plant is an evergreen shrub with fern-like foliage making it an attractive plant to grow.

Irrigating A Desert LandscapeWater is a precious commodity in dry, hot regions. Conserving water is not just the right thing to do, but is also a requirement during droughts. Drip irrigation conserves water by dripping slowly rather than sending out a wide arch of water that dissipates into the air before it ever hits the ground. Drip irrigation kits can be found for do-it-yourselfers, but having an expert install the system ensures that your landscape will receive what it needs and not one drop more.

Desert Landscaping ExtrasA desert backyard landscaping plan should involve adding some shade. A deck with a slatted or lattice roof and planted with a climbing vine hardy to the region creates a shady outdoor getaway. An ornamental vine such as passionflower or maypop, native to the southwest, answers the need with exotic-looking purple and white flowers.

Water presents a big problem with desert landscaping. Conserving water in water restricted areas is top priority in planning and executing a garden project.

It would seem that water fountains, pools, and ponds have no place in a desert landscape. While a full flowing fountain with jets of water splashing down would not be wise, a recycling water pump used in a small colorful Mexican pot turned on its side would offer the pleasurable gurgling sound while using a minimum of water. A small spill fountain similar to the one described adds charm to a deck or patio. Keep the fountain in a shaded area to reduce evaporation.

Choose garden accents that have a southwest theme without adding the sun-bleached skull of a cow. Some themes have been overdone. Search for garden and landscape elements that will enhance the natural look of your yard.

Gardening and landscaping in hot, arid regions presents challenges, but the results can be beautiful. Using native plants that hold up in times of drought and with roots in alkaline hard soil conserves water. Embrace the indigenous plants of the southwest and use them in artistic arrangements for added appeal. If you are unsure how to begin desert landscaping , talk to local experts who will point in you in the right direction of a garden and yard that not only looks amazing, but also grows without wasting natural resources.

What Is Your Garden Personality?Have you ever wondered what kind of garden would suit you the best? Alfred Austin said, "Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are." From the clothes you wear to the car you drive, what we surround ourselves with sends a message to the world. Why shouldn't your garden be another reflection of you? These questions will point you in the direction of the garden that scratches your green thumb itch!